So the first ever Ride the Rio Party Ride along the Arkansas River Trail in Pueblo was freaking awesome! As usual, it's the people that show up for these events that make them so great. If a person is willing to show up to something unique and out-of-the-ordinary, they're usually ready to have a good time and will be amongst similar company. No pretentious b.s. here, just a rag-tag bunch of people that love bicycles, fun, sun, beer, and good company.

Stop one was only about 1.5 miles in, but it was hot enough and folks were ready for a beer..or three. The first stop was a great green, shady nook in the trees overlooking the river and the Angels and Demons mural. A great first stop for people to have a beer, listen to music, mingle and get relaxed.

Stop two was a much needed swimming stop in the kayak park to cool off. Not everyone went in, but either splashing in the river or relaxing on shore with a brew, everyone was content. I think the day could have been complete, even if we ended the ride right there, but we found the energy and courage to push on.

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Along with the Shamrock keg, Javier also brought a few bike games, one of which we played under the Pueblo Boulevard bridge along the trail next to the river. I'm not sure what the exact name of the "Bike Water On The Head Game" is, but it sure was fun. Foul and dirty play seemed to be accepted, with payback and retaliation of more dirty and foul play.

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The final stop was at the Osprey campground where we had intended to play more bike games, but the wind prevented us from properly playing. The wind did not, prevent us from drinking more beer and having a shit ton of fun. Incredibly enough, we did not lose one single person along the way to drowning, crashing (even though I counted 4), or fatigue and we actually gained a random stranger who thought it looked like we were having a pretty damn good time and decided to tag along.

The above photo is a good depiction of the August Party Ride madness (thanks Sean). It was a wild bicycle jungle out there.

The first stop of the ride was again a great one, the keg was tapped, ice cold beers were grabbed from the coolers, people started to mingle and get loose, and a new bike game was introduced. Bike Golf or Bike Dingle-balls.

Stop 2 is the swim and surf stop. A welcomed relief from the heat. Again, no-one drowned, the beer stayed cold, and we added two or three people to the ride, so it was considered a successful stop.

Stop 3 was under the Pueblo Blvd bridge for more swimming, music, socializing, and the addition of the Burrito Lady for this ride. She now knows that we are a hungry group and will be more prepared for it at the next ride. She was really great though and even made a beer and food run for us, despite being sprayed with mud by a power-slide during the water-bucket bike game. We lost a few riders at this stop, but the majority forged ahead.

The final stop was at the Osprey Campground. An attempt at a bicycle newspaper boy game was made, but the mood had shifted to water and ice fights and wrestling matches. After six hours of swimming, riding, and drinking, we decided to head back home after a quick flat tire change. The return pace was fast and furious, empty coolers and trailers hung on for their lives as they were whipped at high speeds around corners. A few more people dropped off on the return trip and the hardcore kept the party alive at the Shamrock and the DTB into the morning hours.
The next day was slow to get going, but I was already looking forward to the next ride, September 3rd, same time, same place.